Bunker Kossa-Söllichau

About the museum

The forest area near Kossa in the Dübener Heide was used for military purposes from 1935: WASAG built an ammunition factory here in which thousands of forced laborers were employed during the Second World War. After the war ended, the Soviet occupying power blew up the facilities. In the 1960s, the Nationale Volksarmee (NVA, East German army) used the site for workshops, storage, and administrative buildings.

Between 1976 and 1979, a top-secret, protected command post for a defense scenario within the framework of the Warsaw Pact was built in a separated part of the area. The facility comprises several bunkers lying up to eight meters deep, including a command bunker and a communications bunker, a computer bunker, and a technical bunker with its own power and water supply. In 1990 the Bundeswehr took over the property and released it in 1993.

Committed citizens campaigned for its preservation from the end of the 1990s. In 2002 the facility was recognized as a technical cultural monument and opened as a museum. The operator expressly sees it as a warning against the consequences of arms buildup and confrontation, not as a nostalgic look back.

Highlights

• NVA command bunker from the years 1976–1979
• Communications bunker with large vehicles in 40-meter-long tubes
• Computer bunker with mainframe computer and field hospital
• Technical bunker with ship diesel engine and waterworks
• Self-guided discovery tour through three bunkers

Permanent exhibitions

• Führungs- und Nachrichtenbunker – The tour shows the work rooms of the command staff as well as the telecommunications center and large vehicles of mobile communications technology.
• Museums-, Rechner- und Technikbunker – On the discovery tour, maps and models explain the layout of the facility; also on view are mainframe computers, a field hospital, and the supply technology.

Founded

2002

Operated by

Naturkunde und Militärgeschichte der Dübener Heide gGmbH

Admission & discounts

Prices apply to the discovery tour without a guide. Cash payment only, no vouchers.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The bunker facility is not built to be accessible for people with disabilities.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kids

The two-hour tour is not geared toward children; the discovery tour is better suited for families.

Getting there & parking

Access only via Söllichau (near Bad Düben, toward Bad Schmiedeberg): at the village exit toward Kossa, turn left directly after the railroad crossing and follow the concrete road past the Gasthof "Friedrichshütte" and the forestry office for about another 2 km; signposted "Bunker Kossa." From the direction of Torgau there is a road closure in Kossa/Durchwehna – detour via Bad Düben and Söllichau.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available

No restaurant or snack bar on site.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit